TNPL 2019: Match 26, Karaikudi Kaalai vs Madurai Panthers: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Arun Karthick K B and Sarath Raj A of the Siechem Madurai Panthers. (Photo Source: TNPL/TNCA)

With the playoffs of the 2019 Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) only a few days away, there are three spots up for grabs with Ravi Ashwin’s Dindigul Dragons already qualifying for the next round.

Chepauk Super Gillies are almost through with a Net Run Rate of +1.367. However, Madurai Panthers still have some work to do as they are placed third on the points table with eight points.

Their next match is against the Karaikudi Kaalai on Thursday. If they lose the game, then there’s a possibility that VB Kanchi Veerans and Lyca Kovai Kings topple them on NRR. Winning the encounter would take them into the playoffs without having to depend on other results. As far as the Kaalai are concerned, the current cellar dwellers would be hoping to not end at the bottom of the table.

Match Details

The 26th match of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2019 will be played between Karaikudi Kaalai and Madurai Panthers at the Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli.

The match starts at 7:15 PM local time (IST) (1:45 PM GMT).

This game will be live on Star Sports and live streaming is available on Hotstar.

Pitch Report

Nine matches have been played thus far at the venue in this TNPL out of which six times, the team defending a target came out trumps. The margins of victory have been on the higher side, which means that batting gets tougher in the second half. Hence, chasing may not be a wise option.

Average first innings score: 160 (Last 5 T20s)

Record of chasing teams: Won- 2, Lost- 3

Weather Report

The conditions will be cloudy in the game with the cloud cover percentages well over the 90 mark. There are also seven per cent chances of rain. The temperature will be in the low 30s for most times with the humidity in the mid-60s.

Probable Playing XIs Karaikudi Kaalai

Laxmesha Suryaprakash, Srikkanth Anirudha (C), Rajhamany Srinivasan, Maan Bafna, Yo Mahesh, S Ganesh (wk), M Shajahan, R Rajkumar, RD Ashwin Kumar, Sunil Sam, S Swaminathan

Bench- T Ajith Kumar, Ashwin Balaji, Abhinav Vishnu, A Karuppaswamy, S Kishan Kumar, Dinesh Karthik, Ashwath Mukumthan, S Mohan Prasath, R Kavin, Velidi Lakshman, V Aditya,

Madurai Panthers

Arun Karthik, A Sarath Raj, Shijit Chandran (C), Jagatheesan Kousik, Abhishek Tanwar, Nilesh Subramanian (wk), R Mithun, R Karthikeyan, Kiran Akash, Rahil Shah, N Selva Kumaran

Bench- Thalaivan Sargunam, Lokesh Raj, Adhithya Giridhar, Akash Sumra, SV Muruganantham, Varun Chakravarthy, J Jabez Moses, MS Promoth, Tushar Raheja, Sabin Karnavar, D Rohit, T Veeramani, Sudhan Kandepan

Top Picks

Arun Karthik is currently the third-highest run-scorer of this TNPL with 281 runs at an average of 56.20. He has scored those runs at a strike-rate of 147.89. Against the Lyca Kovai Kings, he churned out a superlative knock of 106 and is in excellent form.

Team News

(Will be added when there’s an update)

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain Options – Arun Karthik, R Rajkumar, Kiran Akash

Vice-Captain Options- Jagatheesan Kousik, Srikkanth Anirudha, Abhishek Tanwar

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Srikkanth Anirudha, Arun Karthik (C)

Batters – Rajhamany Srinivasan, M Shajahan, A Sarath Raj

All-Rounders – R Rajkumar, Abhishek Tanwar, Jagatheesan Kousik (VC)

Bowlers – Sunil Sam, Rahil Shah, Kiran Akash

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Srikkanth Anirudha (VC)

Batters – Rajhamany Srinivasan, M Shajahan, A Sarath Raj, Shijit Chandran

All-Rounders – R Rajkumar (C), Jagatheesan Kousik

Bowlers – Yo Mahesh, Sunil Sam, Rahil Shah, R Mithun

Expert Advice:

Arun Karthik and Kiran Akash have been the standout performers for the Panthers in the batting and bowling department respectively. But it’s Jagatheesan Kousik, who has been putting in all-round efforts. One can take a gamble, making him the captain.

Probable Winners:

Madurai Panthers are expected to win the contest

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.